Going to the zoo is a great way to spend time with the family, but in this season the idea of trudging through the heat to stare at exhausted animals may be taxing. The annual Reptiles Fever, however, will be like going to a zoo indoors — and you could bring home one of the animals.

More than 60 vendors from the Kansai region will meet in Osaka this weekend to sell rare pets and the necessary equipment to take care of them. Although the event focuses on the scaly creatures, there will also be birds and mammals, including flying squirrels and monkeys.

A variety of events and activities will be offered for both kids and adults, including a petting zoo and lectures by professionals from the reptile community. This year, there are scheduled appearances by TV personality and animal expert Punk Machida, and Vivarium Guide magazine Editor-in-Chief Akira Tomimizu. The latter is also set to bring two of his own prized creatures to the show.

The event has drawn a faithful crowd in past years. The highlight of last year's show was a two-meter-long green iguana. Snakes and iguanas will be up for petting this year, but kids can expect even more since goats and rabbits now join the fun.

Reptiles Fever takes place at ATC Hall in Suminoe-ku, Osaka, on June 29 and 30 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.). Advanced tickets cost ¥800 for adults, ¥500 for children. For more information, call 06-6947-1912 or visit www.tv-osaka.co.jp/reptiles (in Japanese).